Buy Canadian Meds for US?

by patio34 15 Replies latest jw friends

  • patio34
    patio34

    A friend asked me to research purchasing meds via email or mail from a Canadian pharmacy. A lot of Americans are doing this. This friend's sister is on Femara, a breast cancer drug and her insurance will not pay for any brand names and there's no generic form. This woman is on very limited funds and it would cost her $200 per month to get the Femara. The FDA supposedly has a statement saying that you can't be sure what you're getting buying from the net from Canadian pharmacies. This seems biased to my friend, since they want you to buy from USA drugs. Does anyone have any experience or info about doing this? Or would know of reputable pharmacies that do this online?

  • blondie
    blondie

    Wisconsin has a website setup and sanctioned by the governor's office.

    http://www.drugsavings.wi.gov/

    I don't know what your state has if any thing, but this might be a starting point as to quality and security.

    Blondie

  • patio34
    patio34

    Thanks Blondie! I'm forwarding it on!

    Pat

  • talesin
    talesin

    Here's a link to the Canadian government's website on Consumer Protection with regards to online pharmaceuticals. This looks helpful.

    http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pharmaceuticals/drugs.htm

    tal

  • Nina
  • Amazing1914
    Amazing1914

    Hi Patio,

    The FDA supposedly has a statement saying that you can't be sure what you're getting buying from the net from Canadian pharmacies. This seems biased to my friend, since they want you to buy from USA drugs.

    The FDA has this policy against all drugs and treatments that have not been approved through its processes, whether they originate within the USA or any other country in the world. Unfortunately, no matter what the FDA does, people cynically claim its in the back-pocket of the drug industry. My only concern is that the Canadian citizens pay very high taxes that are used to supplement their healthcare system, including drugs. When Americans buy Canadian drugs they put a strain on the Canadian system that reduces availability of those drugs to Canadians. Jim

  • patio34
    patio34

    Thanks Talesin & Nina. I'll give it to her today.

    Thanks also Jim for that perspective. I'm passing that on to for her appraisal.

    Pat

  • talesin
    talesin

    Amazing

    Can you clarify? Here in my province, prescription drugs are not subsidized by the Government. Seniors get a break (after they pay the first $300 or so a year, and those on welfare have a co-pay plan.

    Otherwise, the only relief is through private insurance (eg, Blue Cross or a work-subsidized health plan with companies such as London Life, Great West Life, etc.). All others pay cash, full price.

    I don't really understand your comment. Thanks.

    talesin

  • Uzzah
    Uzzah

    Talesin:

    I was thinking along the same lines.

    Besides if there is a greater volume of sales, this means greater production at the Canadian pharmaceutical companies. Usually greater volume equals lower pricing.

    We aren't at risk of running out. That is akin to saying that Canadians shouldn't buy American beer since it might mean less of a supply to the Americans. ummm not that we would buy American beer.... hmmm bad example.

    Canadian drugs have to be approved by Health Canada before they are allowed to be prescribed by a doctor. Health Canada's processes are equal to those of the States. In some cases they are more stringent and in others slightly less. Sheesh it took Canada about 2 years longer before they approved AED's to be sold in Canada (Automated External Defibrillator). Whereas the States are now putting them in High Schools. (Warning - shameless sales pitch - If anyone (in North America) is interested in purchasing an AED for their businesses or groups, let me know ).

    Well known drugs (such as Femara or a generic version) are likely to be just as safe regardless of which side of the Canada/US border they come from.

    Regardless of where she gets her drugs, I wish her all the best in her treatments and recovery.

    Uzzah

  • patio34
    patio34

    Hi Talesin and Uzzah,

    I'll pass your further posts on to my friend. She was a bit puzzled by Jim's post too. A further explanation would help her.

    And a question I have too for you Jim is that the drug in question HAS been approved by the FDA, so I don't know what the problem would be with it being purchased in Canada. But I don't care really--I just didn't understand your point in saying they didn't want to give a go-ahead on drugs purchased.

    Cheers!

    Pat

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